by Michael Katz, USA TODAY

by Michael Katz, USA TODAY

There is something unique and awesome about college athletics at the United States service academies.

Take, for example, Sunday when the Navy men's lacrosse team had a surprise run-in with a group of World War II veterans at BWI airport in Baltimore. The encounter resulted in this amazing photo of the Midshipmen saluting their elders.

The Navy men's lacrosse team flew back to BWI airport today after playing Notre Dame in a fall lacrosse game on Saturday. While at BWI, the team encountered 67 World War II veterans. After having the opportunity to shake their hand and thank them for their service, the team lined up and saluted them as their buses passed by.

Just a cool, spontaneous moment. As Navy Athletics added, "It put the entire trip in perspective."

(Thanks to our own Eddie Timanus -- @EddieTimanus -- for calling this to our attention.)